[07/29/09 - 12:43 PM]Fueled by Explosive Growth Over the Last Two Years, History(Tm) Announces Unprecedented Slate of New Series and Event Specials for Summer/Fall 2009The coming slate "promises to bring an epic scope and an innovative, entertaining perspective to history."

[via press release from History]

FUELED BY EXPLOSIVE GROWTH OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS, HISTORY� ANNOUNCES UNPRECEDENTED SLATE OF NEW SERIES AND EVENT SPECIALS FOR SUMMER/FALL 2009

BRINGING AN EPIC SCOPE AND AUTHENTIC VOICE TO ALL THINGS HISTORY

Pasadena, CA, July 29, 2009 � On the heels of record-breaking ratings success of 2008 and first half 2009, HISTORY� announces an ambitious lineup of new original series and event specials that will bolster an already robust programming lineup and reinforce the network's status as the preeminent destination for all things history. The coming slate promises to bring an epic scope and an innovative, entertaining perspective to history. The announcement was made by Nancy Dubuc, Executive Vice President and General Manager of HISTORY.

"We are proud to take HISTORY on a journey of vast proportions," said Dubuc. "We are honored to work with A-list talent such as Mark Burnett (Survivor, Expedition), Thom Beers (Ice Road Truckers, Ax Men), Chris Moore (Project Greenlight, Good Will Hunting), Matt Damon (Project Greenlight, Good Will Hunting), Josh Brolin (Milk, W.), Jane Root (Planet Earth), and many others. Together we are partnering on innovative, game-changing television."

By making history engaging and entertaining, and by creating water-cooler-type buzz, HISTORY continues to maintain and even grow its core audience, while also attracting younger viewers who embrace the network's unique ability to tell stories that are relevant and incredibly varied. Every genre imaginable � from archeology to modern technology, from natural history to popular culture � has a home on HISTORY.

"We continue to redefine what history means for a new generation, to broaden the boundaries of HISTORY and to emphasize that history is made every day. Our viewers come to us with a passion for knowledge as they search for their place in the world. HISTORY continues to stand out in the sea of choices, particularly in these challenging, history-making times, as the critical, authentic voice that viewers demand," said Dubuc.

The network's series and specials in production and development include the following:

SUMMER 2009- NEW SERIES

PAWN STAR$ � Premieres Sunday, July 19, 10pm ET

It's one of the oldest forms of banking and, until the 1950s, it was the leading form of consumer credit in the U.S. Now the fascinating world and history of the pawn business is revealed in the new 30-minute, 14-episode, personality-driven series, PAWN STAR$. The series takes viewers inside the doors of the only family-run pawnshop in Las Vegas, where three generations of men from the Harrison family amusingly clash while running the business together. This Harrisons use sharp-eyed skills to assess the value of items their colorful customers bring in, objects that range from obscure to truly historic. Produced by LeftField Pictures.

LOCK N' LOAD with Lee Ermey � Premieres Friday, July 31, 9pm ET

Decorated Marine-turned-actor R. Lee "Gunny" Ermey (Full Metal Jacket, Toy Story) leads viewers on a fascinating ride through the engineering and development of weapons in the new one-hour series, LOCK N LOAD. Learn the inner workings of a particular weapon in each episode, as special high-speed photography offers an unprecedented look at how weapons work and what really happens at the point of impact. Produced by Beyond Entertainment.

CLASH OF THE GODS � Premieres Monday, August 3, 10pm ET

It was the religion of the ancients: mythology. Today, myths are often the first stories we learn as children � iconic tales in which good and evil clash, in which humanity and fantasy collide. But thousands of years ago, these myths were created to help frame the world and dictate the guidelines of societies. They were so powerful, they remain woven into the fabric of today's world. This series explores these myths, from the historical people behind the original stories to their real-life relevance today. Produced by KPI Productions.

MARKED� � Premieres Thursday, August 27, 9pm ET

Throughout history, tattoos have indicated extreme dedication, passion to a code, a family, a set of ideals and/or principles. Whether that mark is a dragon or a skull, each story is a discovery of a new culture and its symbols and initiation rites ... and sometimes its downfall. The new series MARKED� explores the ancient custom of tattooing and its relevance in today's world. Tattoo artists and cultural experts will decode the history and technique of tattoos, putting personal experiences into perspective. Produced by Locker 100 Productions.

SUMMER 2009 - NEW SPECIALS

WOODSTOCK: NOW & THEN (a co-production of VH1 and HISTORY) - Premieres Friday, August 14, 9pm ET on VH1/VH1 Classic; and Monday, August 17, 8pm ET on HISTORY

In the summer of 1969, on a farm about 90 miles north of New York City, more than 500,000 people gathered for a three-day music festival that defined a generation and changed popular culture forever: Woodstock. Now, 40 years later, History and VH1 Rock Docs join forces for the first time in a unique television collaboration. The definitive film on Woodstock is directed and produced by two-time Academy Award-winning filmmaker Barbara Kopple and Executive Produced by Michael Lang, the original festival organizer. WOODSTOCK: NOW & TEN celebrates and explores the history of and an enduring fascination with Woodstock, while re-experiencing the incredible musical event that defined a generation. Produced by Cabin Creek.

FALL 2009 - NEW SERIES

NOSTRADAMUS EFFECT � Premieres Wednesday, September 9, 9pm ET

This series presents the most chilling prophecies generated over time by examining today's global events and relating them back to a particular prophecy. Experts will deconstruct the prophecies of Nostradamus as well as prophecies from the Bible, mythology, hieroglyphs and other ancient texts to identify remarkable correlations between centuries-old predictions and today's unfolding events. Produced by Workaholic Productions.

MYSTERYQUEST � Premieres Wednesday, September 16, 10pm ET

The world is filled with stories of the unexplained, from to the Bermuda Triangle to the lost city of Atlantis. But can modern science answer the questions surrounding these phenomena? The new series MYSTERYQUEST embarks on expeditions across the globe to explore the unexplained, examining historical evidence, reviewing eyewitness accounts and using expert analysis in search of answers. Produced by KPI Productions.

WWII in HD � Premieres 4th Quarter 2009

Using advanced HD technology, HISTORY has preserved and restored thousands of hours of color archival footage never seen by most Americans. For the first time, HISTORY shows the war as it looked and sounded, through the eyes 12 Americans who fought or contributed to the effort (and their stories will be voiced by well-known, modern-day actors). Unpublished diaries, journals, interviews and Dolby "soundscape" create one of the most ambitious, visually stunning war experiences ever witnessed. 10-hour series. Narrated by Gary Sinise (CSI: NY, Forrest Gump). Produced by Lou Reda Productions.

FALL 2009 � NEW SPECIALS

MANSON � Premieres Monday, September 7, 9pm ET

Shortly after midnight on August 9, 1969, a car pulled up to actress Sharon Tate's sprawling Benedict Canyon home. As the driver, Linda Kasabian, stood guard outside, three of her "family" members committed one of the grisliest mass murders in American history. Forty years later, HISTORY presents a chilling drama-documentary featuring exclusive, first-hand testimony from Kasabian, who tells her full story for the first time. MANSON also features interviews with Vincent Bugliosi, chief prosecutor in the case and author of Helter Skelter: The True Story of the Manson Murders; family member Catherine Share, aka "Gypsy"; and Debra Tate, Sharon Tate's sister. The special weaves in rare archival footage and on-camera eyewitness testimony to present a spellbinding portrait of a true nightmare in U.S. history. Two-hour special; produced by NF-Cineflix (The Family) Inc. and Media Productions (The Family) Ltd.

HOLY GRAIL IN AMERICA � Premieres Sunday, September 20, 8pm ET

In the late 19th century, a Minnesota farmer clearing trees uprooted a large stone covered with mysterious runes. Now known as the Kensington Rune Stone, it details a journey of land acquisition and murder in the year 1362. Thought by some to be a hoax, new evidence suggests it could be real � and a clue that the Knights Templar discovered America 100 years before Columbus, perhaps bringing with them history's greatest treasure: the Holy Grail. HOLY GRAIL IN AMERICA investigates a story that begins in medieval Europe and culminates in a present-day search for answers. Two-hour special; Produced by Committee Films.

DAY AFTER DISASTER � Premieres Sunday, September 27, 8pm ET

Throughout history, our society has endured many disasters, man-made and natural. From these experiences we can predict the outcome of future disasters and plan accordingly. Delve into the complex and highly secretive world of disaster planning, as DAY AFTER DISASTER, a HISTORY special, uncovers the lengths to which the government goes to keep the population safe. Produced by Thirty Four Pro.

4Q 2009 � NEW SPECIALS

THE PEOPLE SPEAK

HISTORY and The People Speak Organization, Voices of a People's History of the United States, have entered into a multi-tiered marketing and programming event, including a documentary film, co-branded nationwide educational outreach and a wide-ranging interstitial branding campaign. THE PEOPLE SPEAK focuses on the concept of democracy, based on the lives and experiences of everyday Americans who, through their words and actions, changed the course of history. The film features dramatic performances from such celebrities as Matt Damon, Josh Brolin and Marisa Tomei, as well as musical appearances by Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen and Eddie Vedder. Two-hour special; produced by First Tuesday Media, ArtFire Films, Cross River Pictures, The Johnson/Roessler Company, Membrane, and Brolin Productions.

SURVIVING THE HOLIDAYS WITH LEWIS BLACK

Following up on his successful 2008 special, History of the Joke, comedian Lewis Black is back with his inimitable take on the holidays. It's the most joyous time of the year � or is it? For Black, it's an avalanche of anxiety. The 35 days between Thanksgiving and New Year's are weighed down with stress enough to keep even Santa's sleigh from getting off the ground � with the shopping, the wrapping, the eating, the drinking, the card-writing, the family obligations, the office parties, the year-end pressures and the bills! Armed with history and humor, Lewis goes on a crusade to find out how the holiday season got so out of control. Two-hour special; produced by Triage Entertainment.

THE KENNEDY ASSASSINATION : 24 HOURS AFTER

The hours after John F. Kennedy's tragic assassination were among the most formative and important for our country, yet that story has rarely and only partially been told. Using a ticking clock as a central storytelling device, HISTORY re-examines this pivotal day in history, using stunning details found in newly public documents to reveal a vice president thrust into the role of commander-in-chief and left to make critical decisions with limited information. From the moment Lyndon B. Johnson was told of JFK's death, to his decision to take the oath of office on Air Force One alongside the former First Lady, to the return to his home for a full briefing of what happened that day, 24 HOURS AFTER: THE KENNEDY ASSASSINATION uncovers a compelling and unfamiliar story within events we thought we all knew. Two-hour special; produced by Time Travel Unlimited.

COMING IN 2010

AMERICA THE STORY OF US

An epic 12-part series, AMERICA THE STORY OF US is an exuberant, unprecedented look at the invention of America � how events small and large are intrinsically linked to the exploration and innovation, leading us from the frontier to 21st century cities, from the Mississippi to the moon, from Jamestown to 9/11 and up to present day. AMERICA THE STORY OF US will move though time and space, linking key events, people and locations, capturing the vast sweep of American history � bringing viewers on a journey through the forces that shaped the destiny of America. 12-part series; Produced by Nutopia, a new production company started by Jane Root, former President of Discovery Channel

HISTORY� and HISTORY HD� are the leading destinations for revealing, award-winning original non-fiction series and event-driven specials that connect history with viewers in an informative, immersive and entertaining manner across multiple platforms. Programming covers a diverse variety of historical genres ranging from military history to contemporary history, technology to natural history, as well as science, archaeology and pop culture. Among the network's program offerings are hit series such as How The Earth Was Made, Ax Men, Battle 360, The Universe, and Ice Road Truckers, as well as acclaimed specials including 102 Minutes That Changed America, King, Life After People, 1968 with Tom Brokaw, Nostradamus: 2012 and Star Wars: The Legacy Revealed. HISTORY has earned four Peabody Awards, four Primetime Emmy� Awards, 12 News & Documentary Emmy� Awards and received the prestigious Governor's Award from the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences for the network's Save Our History� campaign dedicated to historic preservation and history education. Take a Veteran to School Day is the network's latest initiative connecting America's schools and communities with veterans from all wars. The HISTORY web site, located at www.history.com, is the definitive historical online source that delivers entertaining and informative content featuring broadband video, interactive timelines, maps, games, podcasts and more.